Calls for upgrade to highway blackspot

PAGE MP Kevin Hogan has urged the Federal Government to reinstate funding for critical safety upgrades to a Northern Rivers road blackspot.

In November 2023, the government reviewed infrastructure projects, axing 50 projects worth $11.6 billion.

One of the axed projects was investigating the best option to upgrade a section of the Bruxner Highway between Sneaths Road in Wollongbar and Kadina Street in Goonellabah.

Mr Hogan and Shadow Minister for Regional Development Darren Chester called for funding to be reinstated for the safety upgrades, citing the stretch of road had a “terrible history”.

“This section has a fatal and serious injury crash rate that is more than eight times higher than similar roads across the State,” Mr Hogan said.

Mr Chester said 358 people died in road crashes in the year to June 2024 in New South Wales.

“Which is an increase of 67 from the previous 12-month period. Every road death has a ripple effect throughout our communities, impacting families, loved ones and first responders,” Mr Chester said.

“Kevin and I will continue to push for this critical funding.”

A spokeswoman for Infrastructure Minister Catherine King explained why the funding was withdrawn.

“As part of responding to the findings of the Independent Strategic Review of the Infrastructure Investment Program, the Albanese Government has made necessary decisions to withdraw funding to projects that the review found had made little to no progress over a significant amount of time, or did not align with Commonwealth or state and territory priorities,” the spokesperson said.

“Should the NSW Government wish to raise this project again as one of its priorities in the future and undergo the work required to get it ready for Commonwealth investment, the request will be considered in the context of future budgets.”